OMAGH FAMILIES IN SNUB TO AHERN
Omagh families in snub to Ahern
By EMILY HASH
FAMILIES of the Omagh dead snubbed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday at the spot where their loved ones were murdered.
Mr Ahern laid a wreath to the 29 people and unborn twins killed by a Real IRA bomb in 1998 during his visit to the town. But most of the relatives stayed away.
Their spokesman Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the blast, said they had been asking for talks with the premier since the attack.
But the group had only been offered a 10-minute meeting with the Taoiseach yesterday.
Mr Gallagher said: "We want a proper meeting with Mr Ahern, not a photo opportunity."
Instead the group travelled to Dublin to meet Fine Gael opposition leader Enda Kenny.
Mr Ahern held a private 30-minute meeting with some relatives at Omagh Council.
Lawrence Rushe whose lost his wife Libby, said the meeting had been cordial.
But he added: "I told him I was concerned at the brevity of the meeting which did not allow for in-depth discussions."
He said the group had been impressed by what Mr Ahern said and he gave them "some hope" the bombers may one day be brought to justice.
He added: "After six years we need more than hope, we need justice."
Mr Ahern insisted there would be "no rest" in the quest to bring the guilty to justice.
He said: "We'll do all we can, co-operate on every level. We'll never let up."
By EMILY HASH
FAMILIES of the Omagh dead snubbed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday at the spot where their loved ones were murdered.
Mr Ahern laid a wreath to the 29 people and unborn twins killed by a Real IRA bomb in 1998 during his visit to the town. But most of the relatives stayed away.
Their spokesman Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the blast, said they had been asking for talks with the premier since the attack.
But the group had only been offered a 10-minute meeting with the Taoiseach yesterday.
Mr Gallagher said: "We want a proper meeting with Mr Ahern, not a photo opportunity."
Instead the group travelled to Dublin to meet Fine Gael opposition leader Enda Kenny.
Mr Ahern held a private 30-minute meeting with some relatives at Omagh Council.
Lawrence Rushe whose lost his wife Libby, said the meeting had been cordial.
But he added: "I told him I was concerned at the brevity of the meeting which did not allow for in-depth discussions."
He said the group had been impressed by what Mr Ahern said and he gave them "some hope" the bombers may one day be brought to justice.
He added: "After six years we need more than hope, we need justice."
Mr Ahern insisted there would be "no rest" in the quest to bring the guilty to justice.
He said: "We'll do all we can, co-operate on every level. We'll never let up."
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/198
Published Date: 20-Feb-04
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